In 1962, amidst the tension of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a small town in Key West, Florida, becomes the backdrop for a slice of quirky Americana. Gene Loomis, a young boy whose father is stationed at the nearby naval base, finds solace in monster movies that transport him far from the fears of nuclear conflict. When larger-than-life film promoter Lawrence Woolsey rolls into town with his sensational new horror flick “Mant” — about a man transformed into an ant — Gene’s world becomes intertwined with the magic of mid-century cinema. Woolsey's unique promotional tactics and showmanship captivate the townspeople, promising an escapist thrill that distracts from the pervasive anxiety of global tensions.

As Woolsey prepares his elaborate gimmicks for the film's premiere, Gene and his friends become entangled in both their own adolescent trials and the larger-than-life buzz around Woolsey’s production. The line between fiction and reality blurs as the youthful curiosity of Gene and his peers meets the unpredictable events sparked by the over-the-top horror screening. All the while, they grapple with personal challenges and shifting relationships, painting a vivid picture of life in America under the looming shadow of potential catastrophe. Tensions rise, both on and off the screen, as characters navigate their fears and desires against the backdrop of an uncertain future.